If you're thinking the pool is a guy's world, think again! Thanks to the Her Sport Her Way Grant Program (HSHW), women are making a splash in the world of swimming coaching. This program, part of the broader Her Sport Her Way strategy (2019-2023), is turning the tide on how we see and support women and girls in sports, especially in New South Wales (NSW).
Getting Women on Deck: Fast Lane to Coaching Her Way
The Fast Lane to Coaching Her Way project is like a cannonball of empowerment for women in swimming coaching and teaching. Its aim? To make learning and leading in the swimming world easier and cheaper for women. It's like a 3-in-1 deal: they offer courses for new comers, opportunities for current coaches to level up, and mentorship from the big shots in the swimming world.
Taking the Plunge: What the Project Aims to Do
The project is not just about teaching strokes and dives. It's making a big splash in four key areas:
- More Female Leaders: By giving women the chance to learn and be mentored, the project is helping more women take charge in sports.
- Boosting Female Participation: It's not just about getting women to dive in; it's about keeping them in the water. The project wants more girls to stick around in swimming by becoming coaches.
- Upgrading Coaching Quality: The goal is to create a team of top-notch female coaches, especially in places where swimming might not be as popular.
- Championing Excellence: The project is not just about learning to swim. It's about training coaches to turn regular swimmers into champions.
Making Waves: The Highlights of the Fast Lane to Coaching Her Way Project
Wagga Wagga, May 27, 2023: The first-ever "Her Sport Her Way - A Fast Lane to Coaching" course kicked off, led by the dynamic duo, Debby Tattoli and Chris Myers. It was a full house with 25 women eager to dive into coaching. The day ended with everyone buzzing, ready to make waves in the swimming world.
Auburn, July 8th & 9th, 2023: The second course made a splash at the annual state conference, with women from all corners of NSW in attendance. Janelle Pallister, a true legend in coaching, shared her wisdom with 38 femaoe participants. The event also honored Ruth Everuss, a trailblazer in the NSW Swimming Coach Community. It was a hit, thanks to the hard work of Debby Tattoli and SCTA NSW Director Haydn Belshaw.
Toronto, October 22, 2023: The final course in Toronto saw 32 women from the Hunter region taking the plunge. With Debby Tattoli leading the charge, the course showcased the talent of the Macquarie Shores Swim Club's young swimmers who assisted with practical demonstrations. It was a grand finale with support from SCTA NSW Vice-President Ben Jenkinson.
Making a Splash in Numbers
The Fast Lane to Coaching Her Way project has done more than just make a ripple. It's creating waves by:
- Helping 95 new female coaches start their coaching journey.
- Assisting 11 existing coaches to up their game through conferences.
- Bringing in 5 top female coaches as mentors and leaders, including Debby Tattoli, Lynn Lonngren, Janelle Pallister, Ruth Everuss, and Sarah Tattoli.
This project is making a difference, breaking down barriers, and showing that women can not only swim but also lead the pack. The overwhelming response from women eager to learn and lead proves that this initiative is a game-changer for women in the swimming world. So, watch out, because the future of coaching is looking brighter and more diverse than ever!
